3 ways to get rid of cellulite

Photo:Courtesy

There's no shortage of lotions and potions claiming to fight or reduce cellulite - but could our diets provide the answer?

Indiscriminate in who it affects, cellulite is one of those horrible downsides of being a woman (and, on occasion, being a man).

Although it's been around for a very long time, the term itself is a fairly recent phenomenon, having been coined by doctors in the 1920s.

And as hems got higher and bathing suits got skimpier, so did a whole host of 'miracle creams' and treatments - targeted at women - suddenly emerge.

The reality is, 85 per cent of women have cellulite and it's a safe assumption that of that number, not many of them enjoy having it. So, we can be forgiven for being tempted and tantalised by the cosmetic industry's various 'cures'.

But is there a cure for cellulite?

While the jury may be out on whether a miracle cream exists, the answer may lie in our diet and expert nutritional therapist Jacqueline Newson has revealed the food items which can help kick cellulite to the curb naturally.

Vitamin C

Cellulite appears when the connective tissue beneath the top layer of our skin begins to weaken, allowing the underlying fatty tissue to protrude through, producing the puckered dimpled appearance which we are on a constant quest to eradicate!

Many do not realise the benefits which can be gained by simply strengthening our skin tissue and preventing the breakthrough of these fatty build-ups.

Collagen is the substance which gives our skin elasticity, firmness and tone, and its production is directly affected by vitamin C.

A recent study showed that Altrient C, the world’s first liposomal Vitamin C gel supplement, increased skin elasticity and firmness by 61% in just 12 weeks, by boosting collagen production to reduce wrinkles and fight against the signs of aging.

Stay Hydrated

Whilst the idea of adding more fluids to your body may make you a little nervous when cellulite begins to appear, drinking water is always a beneficial idea for our skin.

By drinking more water, you can help your body to rid itself of excess fluid where there are build-ups, which can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Omega-3

Inflammation of the skin can enhance the appearance of cellulite, as inflammation can reduce circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Try adding more omega-3s into your diet as the beneficial fatty acids EPA and DHA, help to reduce inflammation and prevent the enlargement of fat cell chambers. Oily fish, walnuts and flaxseeds are a great source of omega-3s.

Improve your hormonal balance

The exact cause of cellulite is not yet known, although because it is most common in women it is thought to be partly due to hormonal changes.

Our hormones, especially oestrogen, can affect the production of body fat even down to specific areas of our body.

You can help to keep your hormones in check with multiple B vitamins, namely vitamin B6 which not only contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, but is also responsible for the utilisation of proteins and fats in our body.

A decline in oestrogen production around the menopause also affects our hormone balance, so it is worth getting some phyto-oestrogens into your diet to help maintain normal levels.

Soya beans, sesame seeds, oats and flaxseeds are handy hormone balancers.